As he enters his thirtysecond month on Planet Earth, our Sun Child discovers that having an older sister can be a blessing and a curse. It can be a blessing when it involves following in her footsteps. For instance, Lior already feels right at home in Luna's school. It can be a curse when the younger brother is made to wear the hand-me-down jammies of his older sister (right). Thank goodness he is not made to wear her clothes as well!

Thanks to Opa Ben and Ome John, the Sent back yard now has a wonderful play structure, with a sand box (far left), a slide (middle left), and ....

... two swings (right). Weather permitting, Luna and Lior spend lots of playtime in the back yard.

Now that the girls of K3 have found a new group member, they are touring the country again, giving the Sent clan a fun afternoon (row above and left). In fact, Lior has so much fun that he falls asleep in the chair at home afterwards (right).

The petting zoo continues to be one of the favorite destinations of Luna and Lior. One wonders, though, whether they like it so much because of the animals or because of the drinks & chips (left).

And then there are fun play instruments on the premises of the petting zoo (right). Indeed, not that many animals are petted by Lior and Luna at the petting zoo!

When Tante Daan celebrates her birthday, Lior and Luna give the shoes of Tante Daan and Ome Niels a try (far left). Since these are way too big for their tiny feet, they prefer to get carried (middle left).

Our lucky duo gets to enjoy giant "stroopwafels". This a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. They were first made in Gouda in the Netherlands, in 1784. Large versions are sold in the streets as a snack, as you can see here (right)!

With full tummies, they wait to welcome Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten to Bilthoven (left).

And what a surprise, two Zwarte Pieten come over to the house of Tante Daan and Ome Niels (right). Better yet, they bring presents and candies!

Ome Niels is a trumpet player, much to the delight of Lior and Luna, who also get to give one of his trumpets a try (left). They do amazingly well, making lots of noise.

Saint Nicholas' eve is celebrated in the Netherlands on December 5. It is the present-giving occasion in the Netherlands (after birthdays). Sinterklaas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful Moorish dresses, called "Zwarte Pieten" (black Petes). Their blackness may have been inspired by black slaves, but today the more politically correct explanation that their faces are "black from soot" (as they have to climb through chimneys to deliver their gifts) is used. Sinterklaas has a long white beard, holds a long gold colored staff with a fancy curled top in his hand, and carries a big book with all the children's names in it, and whether they have been good or bad. He rides the roofs on a white horse. Each year in November Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat ''from Spain".

Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten visit mom's work. However, it sure is a long wait until the show starts (right). To be fair, Esther-Mirjam asked her cute son to pose like this. Of course, he was more than happy to oblige.

Oma Alie is happy to come along to enjoy the wonderful show, but Lior and Luna continue to believe that the wait is way too long (left). In the end, though, it turns out to be well worth it.

Lior hops on the dance floor with Oma Alie (middle right), while Luna dances all by herself (far right).

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Thirty-two months old!

Lior continues to be a happy young man. He loves to follow his big sister's example, especially when she gets into trouble! His health is great and he is also learning to use the toilet. Of course, he is much too old to want to have a sticker as a reward. Having mom jump up and down and clap her hands is enough of a reward for our sweet boy.